For various reasons it’s been difficult to get out much lately, so today was a trip to the forest of Croft State Park, a favorite place for a walk in the woods. Both me and my avian side needed to get out.
[bird] That’s for sure.
[human] Ahem. Anyway, Morning in the forest is always a good time.

There’s a lot more water in and flowing out of Lake Craig than last time I was here. Then the lake level was down for maintenance, but recent rains have filled it back up.

Lots of water for the ducks to play in now.

This looked a bit precarious, but it was to the side of the trail, so no concern.
[bird] Unless you land on the wrong part of it. Hey, you should let me write this, I know way more about forests than you ever will!
[human] All right, my assertive avian half. Start peckin’ the keyboard!

[bird] You don’t survive in the wild without being assertive, even aggressive at times. So here’s a tree that died some time ago but has turned into a veritable high-rise condo (as you might call it) for all sorts of forest residents:

How here’s another example of human nonsense, running this “road” right through the middle of the forest.
[human] That road is the edge of the forest.
[bird] No it isn’t. Look! There’s forest on both sides of it! This .. thing .. is right in the middle of the forest.

Now there’s a flight hazard, that TV tower.

[human] Guess we go on foot here, eh?
[bird] The sign doesn’t say anything about wings.
[human] Well, aircraft are vehicles.
[bird] A bird on the wing is no more a “vehicle” than you’re a bus when you walk.

The human had trouble finding the trail in areas like this, but I knew where we were going.

Now you’d think with a name like “Rocky Ridge Trail”, the trail would be up there on the ridge. But, No. You’d also think there’d be more rocks around.

Now here’s a nice little spot, with the water keeping things just a bit warmer and greener. I’ll bet there’s some insects there that’ll make a good snack. Let me…
[human] uh, no…
[bird] Wuss. Alright, where’s those peanuts you said you brought?

Deer tracks mixed in with the horse tracks that the human found reassuring when the trail wasn’t so easy for him to follow.

Down to the Fairforest Creek and more greenery. Got any more of those peanuts?

Clearly all that rain had the water up over this bridge. At least this one didn’t get washed away like that other one a while back.

I didn’t want to leave, but the human said I ate almost all the food we brought, and didn’t seem interested in the stuff to eat all around us.
[human] Are you done?
[bird] I guess so.

Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/10697234481